J&K Cabinet Approves 18% Fare Hike for Passenger Transport, Clears Increase in Allowances for Ministers, MLAs Jammu, Mar 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Friday approved several key proposals, including an 18 percent hike in passenger transport fares, revision of allowances for Ministers and legislators, and creation of new faculty posts in Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar. According to sources, the Cabinet approved an 18 percent increase in fares of passenger commercial vehicles across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Transporters had earlier demanded a 35–40 percent hike citing rising operational costs; however, the government approved a lower increase. The Cabinet also fixed fares for electric passenger vehicles to regulate charges and ensure uniformity. As per the decision, e-rickshaw fares have been set at Rs 15 per kilometre, while e-auto fares will be Rs 25 for the first kilometre and Rs 20 for each subsequent kilometre. Officials said these rates aim to standardise fares as such vehicles were previously operating without a fixed rate structure. In another major decision, the Cabinet approved the creation of 136 faculty posts in the Health and Medical Education Department for Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar. These include 27 Professors and 109 Associate Professors. Of the total posts, 10 Professor and 36 Associate Professor positions have been allocated to GMC Jammu, while 17 Professor and 73 Associate Professor posts have been sanctioned for GMC Srinagar. The allocation has reportedly sparked debate in Jammu, with some stakeholders questioning the comparatively lower number of posts sanctioned for GMC Jammu. The Cabinet also approved revisions in various allowances and benefits for Ministers, MLAs, presiding officers of the Legislature and the Leader of Opposition. Amendments have been made to rules governing travelling allowances, medical facilities, motor car advances and related benefits, which will result in an increase in the existing allowances. Additionally, the Cabinet approved a proposal allowing the Union Territory of Ladakh to utilise the Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Appellate Tribunal as a joint appellate body for real estate matters, considering the limited real estate activity in the region. Meanwhile, the Cabinet cleared the promotion of Abdul Majid Tak, currently serving as Joint Director Fisheries, as Director Fisheries. It also granted Special Scale (Non-Functional) of JKAS in favour of officer Rajesh Kumar Basotra. Officials said the decisions taken by the Cabinet will come into effect after approval from the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Waqar Khan

मेंढर, पुंछ, जम्मू और कश्मीर•

on 14 March

J&K Cabinet Approves 18% Fare Hike for Passenger Transport, Clears Increase in Allowances for Ministers, MLAs Jammu, Mar 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Friday approved several key proposals, including an 18 percent hike in passenger transport fares, revision of allowances for Ministers and legislators, and creation of new faculty posts in Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar. According to sources, the Cabinet approved an 18 percent increase in fares of passenger commercial vehicles across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Transporters had earlier demanded a 35–40 percent hike citing rising operational costs; however, the government approved a lower increase. The Cabinet also fixed fares for electric passenger vehicles to regulate charges and ensure uniformity. As per the decision, e-rickshaw fares have been set at Rs 15 per kilometre, while e-auto fares will be Rs 25 for the first kilometre and Rs 20 for each subsequent kilometre. Officials said these rates aim to standardise fares as such vehicles were previously operating without a fixed rate structure. In another major decision, the Cabinet approved the creation of 136 faculty posts in the Health and Medical Education Department for Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar. These include 27 Professors and 109 Associate Professors. Of the total posts, 10 Professor and 36 Associate Professor positions have been allocated to GMC Jammu, while 17 Professor and 73 Associate Professor posts have been sanctioned for GMC Srinagar. The allocation has reportedly sparked debate in Jammu, with some stakeholders questioning the comparatively lower number of posts sanctioned for GMC Jammu. The Cabinet also approved revisions in various allowances and benefits for Ministers, MLAs, presiding officers of the Legislature and the Leader of Opposition. Amendments have been made to rules governing travelling allowances, medical facilities, motor car advances and related benefits, which will result in an increase in the existing allowances. Additionally, the Cabinet approved a proposal allowing the Union Territory of Ladakh to utilise the Jammu and Kashmir Real Estate Appellate Tribunal as a joint appellate body for real estate matters, considering the limited real estate activity in the region. Meanwhile, the Cabinet cleared the promotion of Abdul Majid Tak, currently serving as Joint Director Fisheries, as Director Fisheries. It also granted Special Scale (Non-Functional) of JKAS in favour of officer Rajesh Kumar Basotra. Officials said the decisions taken by the Cabinet will come into effect after approval from the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.